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Fetch, Tug of War and More: 5 Ways to Play With Your Dog

Five ways to add variety to play with your dog, plus guidance on fetch, tug, overstimulation and choosing activities that suit your dog.

By Animalso Team 3 min read
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Try a mix of gentle fetch, controlled tug, hide-and-seek, cue games and food puzzles. Choose activities your dog enjoys, keep play within their physical limits, and pause if excitement turns into jumping, barking, nipping or biting.

Choose a game that fits your dog

Dogs have different preferences, experience and physical abilities, so one game will not suit every dog. Before you start, consider the space, your dog’s comfort and how much running or handler control the activity involves. Supervise play and change the game if your dog seems uneasy or too excited. VCA lists hide-and-seek, gentle tug and fetch among possible enrichment activities: Using Enrichment, Predictability and Scheduling to Train Your Dog.

Game Physical intensity What you need Useful adjustment
Fetch with a pause Can be vigorous; control the pace A ball or toy and a safe area Wait for the toy to land before releasing your dog
Gentle tug Variable; keep it controlled A tug toy long enough to keep hands clear Teach a release cue and stop if play becomes rough
Hide-and-seek Usually less running than repeated fetch A person to find or a few treats Begin with an easy hiding place
Tricks and cue games Adjustable Rewards; a toy is optional Keep practice brief and take breaks
Food-puzzle play Low physical intensity A suitable food toy or treats Use a simple treat search if you do not have a puzzle

1. Add a pause to fetch

Fetch can combine movement with simple training cues such as “come,” “sit,” “fetch” and “drop it.” Ask your dog to wait, toss the toy, then release them after it has landed. Cornell advises care with ball play because repeated all-out running, abrupt stops and jumping catches may raise the risk of injury. Use a safe space, keep the pace appropriate for your dog and build in breaks. Read Cornell’s guidance on playing ball safely.

2. Play gentle tug with clear rules

Tug can be an enjoyable shared game when both dog and handler can keep it calm and controlled. Use a toy long enough to keep hands away from your dog’s mouth, and teach a release cue so play can pause when asked. Do not jerk the toy, pull the dog off balance or twist their neck. The American Kennel Club recommends short sessions and moderating pressure for puppies and senior dogs who may have physical issues; see its tug-of-war safety guidance.

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Advice about tug is not uniform. VCA and the American Kennel Club describe controlled tug as a possible activity, while the American Veterinary Medical Association cautions against highly excitable tug or wrestling because of nip and bite risk. Skip tug if your dog guards toys, shows concerning aggression or becomes over-aroused during play. If you are unsure how to manage the behavior, consult a qualified veterinary or behavior professional. The AVMA’s bite-prevention guidance is at Preventing dog bites.

3. Play hide-and-seek

Have your dog find you, or hide a few treats in an accessible place and encourage them to search. Start somewhere easy so your dog can succeed, and make sure they are comfortable with the game. VCA includes both hide-and-seek and hiding food among possible play and enrichment activities in its enrichment guidance.

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4. Turn cues into a game

Practice a familiar cue, reward your dog, then alternate with another cue or a short burst of toy play. You can use “come,” “sit” or “drop it” as part of an interactive session rather than treating practice as a separate chore. Keep the pace manageable and pause if excitement rises. VCA discusses using commands in play and breaks in its play and exercise guidance.

5. Offer a food puzzle or treat search

A food-dispensing toy or puzzle can give your dog a chance to work out how to reach a reward. Choose an option suited to your dog and supervise them with it. A purchased puzzle is not essential: hiding a few treats in an easy-to-search area offers a simple alternative. The American Animal Hospital Association describes puzzle and food-dispensing toys as ways to encourage problem-solving in its article on enrichment at home.

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  • KONG: Since not all toys are created equal, it’s always best to supervise your dog during play. Supervised play will help toys last longer and keep your dog safe. No dog toy is truly indestructible, so always remove the toy from playtime if damaged
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Know when to pause or switch games

Watch your dog’s behavior as well as the game itself. VCA identifies jumping, excessive barking, nipping and biting as possible signs of overstimulation. Stop for a break or switch to a calmer activity if these appear. Avoid roughhousing, games that encourage chasing people and abrupt high-speed turns; keep fetch from becoming a string of hard sprints, sharp stops and jumping catches. More guidance on recognizing appropriate play and exercise is available from VCA Animal Hospitals.

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